Mai Griffin
you really are receptive, so you should be willing to accept that
she must be prevented from going out. Make any excuse
because, if Maud drives today, I see her thrown violently against
the steering wheel. Although I don’t think she’ll be badly
injured, I can’t be absolutely sure. It could end in tragedy.”
Norma’s mobile face registered mixed emotions. Her eyes
widened and her mouth went slack. Sarah added hastily, “Don’t
worry, the situation can be avoided if she stays at home, but
there’s no more I can tell you.” She was doubly insistent and
more specific because she knew Maud always shopped on
Monday afternoons. Sarah was relying on Norma to keep Maud
safe because she was reluctant to advise her personally. Maud
was stubborn and might insist that, being forewarned, she could
avoid danger. The warning might then make her nervous and
actually be the cause of a calamity.
As others joined them, Sarah hastily took her leave of
Norma and departed with promises to have a real ‘heart to heart’
one day, soon, about ESP and the paranormal.
Norma was elated. At last everyone would accept her as a
real psychic, like Sarah, or at least it would be enough to silence
Maud. As the car pulled away, she planned her strategy. To start
with, she wouldn’t even try to keep Maud in; a bump on the head
might do her good! Afterwards, she’d describe what she had
foreseen and when Maud scoffed, as she was sure to, she’d
announce that Sarah had also seen it.
Norma smirked as she pictured Maud’s stupefaction. There
was one glaring snag; she’d have to explain to Sarah her failure
to pass the warning on. Norma sighed. It would have been such
a satisfying revenge but Maud would have to be told after all.
Anyway, it was gratifying that at least Sarah now believed her.
As she turned to walk back into the drive she saw the scene
around her dissolve. The wide road was crowded with silent
spectators and vehicles: funeral cars! A hearse waited at the
sidewalk under a fragrant crown of flowers. She gasped with
dismay – then the surroundings reverted to normal as the last
guest came chattering happily from the house. Oh God! Maud
really would die unless she intervened. Sarah, it seemed, hadn’t
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